Highway Department Fleet Management Program discussed and approved
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on January 16, 2016 with all commissioners in attendance.
Mississippi Headwaters Board Director Tim Terrell gave a presentation to the Commissioners about the Land Protection Process to protect the headwaters, the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River, from pollution and aquatic invasive species (AIS). Grants have resulted for this protection, the last two years in the amount of $3.16 million. The beginning and end of this process are acquisitions and easements. The commissioners will have a say as to whether a parcel in this county would have the potential for acquisition,and they would have the final say. Also, the land owner must accept.
Much of the expense to do so is in land appraisal and title search. The Commissioners would determine who would best manage the property, for instance the Land Commissioner, or DNR, if the land is acquired.
Commissioner Dan Sten-seng asked what the land could be used for and how it differs from tax-forfeited land.
Mr. Terrell said "Whose realm the land is in, it would be under their management and for public benefit, such as a forest resource. There are different programs available."
Land Commissioner Bruce Cox asked what tributaries are in Clearwater County. Terrell said the main priority is the Mississippi River and they are more interested in forests by the river, which would be under local control.
County Engineer, Dan Sauvé brought motions to purchase many vehicles and equipment off the State contract, including two 2016 GMC Sierra 4WD double cab pickups to replace older models; two 2016 John Deere tractors with trade-ins; mowers, and other equipment. This equipment is part of the Clearwater County Highway Department Fleet Management Program detailed by Engineer Dan Sauvé.
Mr. Sauvé said they do trade ins towards new equipment every 6-10 years in an effort to achieve the most value and efficient use from their equipment, and obtain the best prices through the State contract, often 20-25% less than retail. (Please see the explanation of the Fleet Management Program as a separate article.)
"The rotation of equipment is designed so we do get a better price for trade-ins. There is a window of time when its still worth something," Commissioner Newland said.
"Clearwater County does get reimbursed from the State for a share of this amount over a period of time," he said.
The total cost to acquire these items from the State contract with trade-ins, will be approximately $401,551. The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the purchases.
Mr. Sauvé received authorization to pay the current Highway Department bills in the amount of $12,921.
Mr. Sauvé traveled to Brainerd to attend the Minnesota Counties Engineering Association.
Sheriff Darin Halverson was given authorization to hire Erick Thoresen as STS Crew Leader pending successful completion of the background check. All Commissioners approved the hire except for the opposing vote of Commissioner Dean Newland.
He said, "The Highway Department only starts employees at around $14 per hour, and this hire is at $17.47 per hour." He said the disparity in the wages is why he opposes the hire, and "It needs to be fair."
Sheriff Halverson was authorized by the Board to advertise a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a public safety CAD technology system; and to advertise the position of full-time Jail Programmer, in house, due to the resignation of Mary Musselman effective Feb. 29. Ms. Musselman has served Clearwater County for the past 35 years.
The Jail Programmer position was created to make things better. Commissioner Newland asked if this is the case, to which the Sheriff answered yes, and that the duties of the jail administrator go to the programmer if there are more than 30 in the jail.
"The State can shut the County down without this backup," he said.
Both measures did pass, but received a no vote from Commissioner Arlen Syverson, who commented that, "I believe this position (jail programmer) is unnecessary, and that the jail administrator should be sufficient to do the job." As far as the CAD system, "We just need to call 911," he said.
The Sheriff also received authorization to purchase a 2016 Ford Police Pursuit Utility Vehicle for $26,274 and have it equipped. The total cost will not exceed $38,000. This is a budgeted expense.
MIS Director Stuart Lien received authorization to purchase 2016 computer replacements and technology upgrades for General Government, not to exceed $58,000; and 2016 General Government computer and software maintenance, upgrades and support agreements not to exceed $45,000.
County Veterans Service Officer, Hutch Hutchens brought a Safety Controls Quarterly Report for the period of Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015. Besides regular county activities, he attended the CVSO Quarterly Meetings in Fargo; facilitated the Clearwater County Safety Committee Meeting; and attended the Northwest Minnesota Safety Council Quarterly Meeting in Park Rapids, all in November.
He said there will a Caring Friends event Feb. 20 in support of the Veterans Transportation program for Clearwater County.
County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson received authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $354,674 from the County Revenue Fund, and $33,168 from Nursing Service.
He said there was an expenditure of $262,000 which was for liability, workman’s comp, and property casualty insurance.
Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.